Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is Honored to present a piece of American history today for a penny-start auction; this is the legendary Colt 1873 Single Action Army, 1st Generation, Early Blackpowder Frame, “Artillery” style!
This exceptional Colt Artillery Model 1873 Revolver is a rare gem. The frame, trigger guard, and back strap have matching serial numbers. Notably, the frame also proudly displays the HN sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton, a renowned inspector of Colt's single-action revolvers in 1878.
This exceptional Colt Artillery Model 1873 Revolver is a rare gem. The frame, trigger guard, and back strap have matching serial numbers. Notably, the frame also proudly displays the HN sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton, a renowned inspector of Colt's single-action revolvers in 1878.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1873 Single Action Army, 1st Generation, Early Blackpowder Frame, “Artillery” Style
Serial: 49253
Date of Manufacture: 1879
Caliber: .45 Colt
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: Approximately 5 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Sights
Stock/Grips: One Piece Walnut
Action: Single-Action Revolver
Markings: The barrel address is mostly legible and reads: "COLT PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." It features the serial number "49253" on the frame, trigger guard, and butt. The frame also bears the HN sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton, who inspected Colt's single-action revolvers in 1878. There are no other legible markings to be seen on this example.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: 1873 Single Action Army, 1st Generation, Early Blackpowder Frame, “Artillery” Style
Serial: 49253
Date of Manufacture: 1879
Caliber: .45 Colt
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: Approximately 5 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Sights
Stock/Grips: One Piece Walnut
Action: Single-Action Revolver
Markings: The barrel address is mostly legible and reads: "COLT PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." It features the serial number "49253" on the frame, trigger guard, and butt. The frame also bears the HN sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton, who inspected Colt's single-action revolvers in 1878. There are no other legible markings to be seen on this example.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Single Action Army, also known as the SAA, Model P, Peacemaker, or M1873, is a single-action revolver handgun. It was designed for the U.S. government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, which is known today as Colt's Manufacturing Company. From 1873 to 1892, it was adopted as the standard-issued pistol of the U.S. Army. The Colt SAA has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths, and its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. Colt has canceled its production twice but renewed it due to popular demand. The revolver was dubbed the "Peacemaker" and is a famous piece of Americana and the American Wild West era due to its popularity with ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws alike. Today, it is mainly bought as memorabilia by collectors and re-enactors. Its design has influenced the production of numerous other models from other companies. Originally issued to the U.S. Cavalry, the barrel was 7 1⁄2 inches long and 13 inches overall.
The Single Action Army became available in standard barrel lengths of 4 3⁄4 inches and 5 1⁄2 inches, as well as the Cavalry standard, original 7 1⁄2 inches. The shorter barrelled revolvers are sometimes called the "Civilian" or "Gunfighter" model (4 3⁄4 inches) and the Artillery Model (5 1⁄2 inches).
The Single Action Army became available in standard barrel lengths of 4 3⁄4 inches and 5 1⁄2 inches, as well as the Cavalry standard, original 7 1⁄2 inches. The shorter barrelled revolvers are sometimes called the "Civilian" or "Gunfighter" model (4 3⁄4 inches) and the Artillery Model (5 1⁄2 inches).
David F. Clark inspected the largest group of U.S. Colt Cavalry revolvers, his D.F.C. cartouche being found on revolvers inspected from 1880 to 1887. In 1893, the Cavalry retired the .45 U.S. Colt Single Action Army revolver and replaced it with the .38 caliber Colt Model 1892 Double Action Army revolver. The .45 Single Action Army revolver was still a standard issue to the Infantry, Artillery, and other branches of the U.S. Army. In 1895–1896, the U.S. federal government returned 2,000 SAA revolvers to Colt to be refurbished; 800 were issued to the New York Militia with the 7 1⁄2 inch barrels, and 1,200 were altered to a barrel length of 5 1⁄2 inches. In 1898, 14,900 SAA revolvers were altered similarly by the Springfield Armory. The original records of the War Department do refer to these revolvers with the shortened barrel as the "Altered Revolver". The name "Artillery" is a misnomer, which Sapp speculates may have originated because the Light Artillery had the first units armed with the altered revolver.
The Artillery Single Actions were issued to the Infantry, Light Artillery, Volunteer Cavalry, and other troops because the standard-issue .38 caliber Colt M 1892 double-action revolver lacked stopping power. Therefore, the .45 Artillery SAA Revolvers were used successfully by front troops in the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War. Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill, wielding the .45 caliber Artillery Model.
The Artillery Model usually had mixed numbers. The U.S. can identify it on the frame, the inspector's stamps on different parts (such as a tiny A for Orville W. Ainsworth, DFC, HN, RAC for later inspectors, and K for replacement parts), and the cartouche of Rinaldo A. Carr (RAC), the inspector who inspected the refurbished guns, on the grip. This revolver started out life in 1879, the 7th year of production, as a Cavalry Model SAA revolver with a 7 ½” barrel made for the U.S. Army. It is currently in an “Artillery” configuration, with the barrel shortened to approximately 5 1/4″. It is unclear if this is a genuine arsenal-converted model or if the barrel was cut after the revolver left military service. The “Artillery” moniker is a collector’s term, as the modified revolvers were most notable for their issue to U.S. Artillery units in the Spanish-American war.
Whether it has been converted for arsenal use or not, this is still a fascinating piece. It is from the early stages of production and has parts with matching serial numbers. The ejector housing is the correct early style with an indexing stud behind the mounting screw, and it also has the proper HN sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton inspection marks on the metal parts. The revolver shows signs of its age but has a better bore and mechanics than its appearance might suggest. This revolver must have a very interesting history if only it could be told. All of the Colt 1st Generation revolvers are highly sought after, and this very early Cavalry Model will be no exception.
Return Policy:Whether it has been converted for arsenal use or not, this is still a fascinating piece. It is from the early stages of production and has parts with matching serial numbers. The ejector housing is the correct early style with an indexing stud behind the mounting screw, and it also has the proper HN sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton inspection marks on the metal parts. The revolver shows signs of its age but has a better bore and mechanics than its appearance might suggest. This revolver must have a very interesting history if only it could be told. All of the Colt 1st Generation revolvers are highly sought after, and this very early Cavalry Model will be no exception.
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
